Clarets boss Dyche hails Arsenal performance

Chris Boden

Clarets boss Sean Dyche was disappointed to exit the FA Cup at holders Arsenal, but hailed his side's performance at the Emirates.

Burnley went down 2-1 as Alexis Sanchez's second half goal proved the winner, coming after Sam Vokes had cancelled out Callum Chambers' opener.

Sean Dyche gets his message across from the touchline

The Clarets competed well throughout, however, against the Premier League title challengers, and Dyche said: "It was strong generally from us, to come down here and deliver a performance that could push them all the way.

"The big thing for me was changing the thought process on the gameplan. Last season we tried to absorb and be tactically strong, which we did for periods, but once they scored, we never really looked like getting back in it.

"We changed that thinking, we wanted to be a more awkward customer, and I think we were.

"We caused plenty of trouble for them, had good chances, scored a fine goal, and, unfortunately gave them a cheap second goal.

"They scored a very good first goal, but the second was very cheap, we gave the ball away far too easily, and got hurt on the counter, which can happen here.

"Other than that, it was a strong performance I felt."

Arsenal made nine changes, to Burnley's two, but handed Sanchez a first start in two months, while Mohamed Elneny a debut, and Dyche added: "They made changes but we're still a very strong side, if you look at the amounts spent on the players that came in.

"We made a couple of changes but I was pleased with them, it's been a massive step forward for Tendayi (Darikwa), he was playing at Chesterfield last year, it's a fantastic step forward mentally and physically for Freddie Ulvestad, to play in that company and deliver that type of performance.

"There were a lot of pleasing things, but, inevitably, you want to win, no matter where you are, people on the outside don't think you have a chance, but we do, so we're disappointed not to get something from the game, but I was generally pleased with the performance."

And Burnley will take good heart from their display on the big stage: "We're in good form, we're very productive in the league at the moment, particularly with scoring goals, so I was pleased to score and create the chances we did, so it's not like this is a platform, because the platform has already been set, but it doesn't do any harm to build mentality, when you walk into a stadium like this and deal with the game.

"I don't think we did for the first 20 minutes, although we had the best chance of the game with Andre going through one on one.

"Once we settled down, we responded very well to their goal, mentally, which we were pleased with, to get the ball and keep it and start playing.

"The defence was sound generally, the performance was generally strong, but you haven't won, and that is the task. We definitely look at the positives though."

Dean Marney missed out with a calf problem, and Dyche explained: "I don't think it's major but he's having this little spell, he's been out a long time. He's generally very fit, but he's just having a little spell of niggly bits and bobs so hopefully we can get a clean bill of health as quickly as we can."